Stoke lurch from one controversy to another but will hope to make a fresh start as they host promotion-chasing West Brom in Monday's Sky Bet Championship game.
The Potters hope to draw a line under the Nathan Jones era, but they've already hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as they seek a successor.
Preston North End have reported Stoke to the EFL for making an illegal approach for their manager Alex Neil, who was earmarked as their ideal replacement for Jones
Neil led Preston to the top of the Championship on Sunday with a 1-0 win at Charlton, and North End have insisted that there is no chance Stoke will be granted permission to talk to him over the job.
Jones was sacked by the Sky Bet Championship bottom side on Monday after a disappointing 10 months in charge.
The former Luton boss left the Potters five points adrift of safety after collecting just eight points from 14 games this term.
Rory Delap, Kevin Russell and Andy Quy have been placed in temporary charge of first-team affairs until a replacement is appointed.
The club have already seen Preston boss Alex Neil decide to stay where he is.
Their immediate on-field task is not a straightforward as they take on a Baggies side hoping to move into the top two with a victory.
Captain Ryan Shawcross, who has not yet played this season due to injury, told the club's website, www.stokecityfc.com: "A lot of work has gone on at the training ground so now it's up to the lads to go out on the pitch and, with the fans behind us, we'll hopefully get a win.
"The fans have been great in the situation. Many other fans at other clubs would have turned but they've been right behind us even when the results and performances haven't been there."
West Brom are hoping to get back to winning ways after draws in their last two outings.
Manager Slaven Bilic told the club's website, www.wba.co.uk: "Everybody is surprised with Stoke's league position. They are surprised and we are all surprised.
"I haven't come across anyone who is a little bit thinking that it is going to be an easy game."
